Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/530880
58 • JULY 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS THE HUMAN LINK by Jim Lucci Management Motivational Associates Addicted to your cell phone? Please put it away when you're behind the wheel! Editor's note: Jim first wrote this column in 2010, when the danger of talking or texting on mobile devices while driving was first being brought to the forefront of the public's atten- tion in a major way. Unfortunately, the issue has not been resolved, and this action continues to be a major cause of vehicular accidents resulting in injuries or death. Many states and municipalities have since put in place laws against using mobile devices while driving. • • • This is the second part of a col- umn which I began last month. Today it appears that many people are "addicted" to their cell phones, to the point that they use them constant- ly, even while driving. I classify using a cell phone behind the wheel as mis- use, and the practice is so unsafe that many states have enacted laws against their use while driving. We took a brief look at some of the state laws last month, and we'll continue now. New Hampshire enacted a com- prehensive distracted driving law to deal with the distracted driving issue. South Carolina has a distracted/ inattention attribute under contribut- ing factors. Texas has banned the use of hand- held phones and texting in school zones. And finally, Utah's law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation other than speeding while distracted by use of a hand-held cell phone or other activities not relat- ed to driving. On the international side, there are as many as 40 countries which may restrict or prohibit the use of cell phones while driving. As you can see, much of this leg- islation has been recently enacted de- spite, or perhaps due to, earlier stud- ies pointing out the dangers involved with cell phones and texting, as well as accidents where cell phone use was proven to be a contributing factor. I suspect that much more legis- lation will be developed in the years ahead as more people are maimed or killed due to somebody's ignorance and even arrogance. At this point, we need to acknowl- edge the Insurance Institute for High- way and state safety offices for shar- ing their statistical information which assisted in creating this column. If we didn't discuss your state specifically, make sure to check your state laws regarding these matters. While I'm sure everyone has a cell phone story, I am going to relate an experience I had recently regard- ing drivers and the use of cell phones which can serve to reinforce what oth- ers have gone through, albeit nothing as dramatic as the loss of a loved one as a result of the misuse of the cell phone. With that said, I recall an incident where I was stopped at a traffic signal on a side street waiting for the light to change so that I could make a right turn onto a major road, but not a high- way. While I was waiting, a driver was proceeding into the intersection in an SUV, and waiting to make a left hand turn to head south on the street where I was waiting. I noticed that the driver was talking on the cell phone in a rather animated conversation, and sensing that the driver really wasn't totally focused on the driving situation, I de- cided to back up some 10 feet from the corner. (Fortunately, I was the only car in my lane and could back up, anticipat- ing something, but not quite knowing what.) Just prior to backing up, I noticed another car heading east, and prepar- ing to speed up so as to not be caught by the changing of the light. Within seconds of completing my back up maneuver, almost inexplica- bly, the driver of the SUV attempted to make a left turn while still talking animatedly on the cell phone. The SUV promptly was broadsided by the oncoming car. The collision caused the SUV to flip over and land in the spot which I had previously occupied seconds earlier! Regrettably, I did not have a cell phone with me to call in the accident, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT Introducing the ECGO-GKP, the latest cell phone entry system from ECGOI Your customers will love its user friendly features: ECGO-GKP • Programs 1,200 call in users • Holds 400 pin codes • Change codes via text message • Sends report of who comes in and out via text message to gate owner • LED lights on or off controlled via text message • Fast and easy programming from anywhere • Weatherproof stainless steel • For use with all gate automation systems 704.768.2230 • www.myECGO.com Interested in becoming an ECGO distributor… Please call us! Get your FREE ECGO App at the App Store! Code: ECGO The ECGO-GKP and the original ECGO-G have many more features that you can check out on the myECGO.com web site